LAST MINUTE MEALS
It’s a place we’ve all been. To survive, you must consume food as soon as possible. In spite of the fact that you slept in, you didn’t soak the beans overnight, you marinated the meat before cooking, you’ve not even been to the grocery store in a while… Because we’re all busy, we need some quick fixes––last-minute meals––but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to eat healthily (and affordably) also.
Whether you’re looking for a last-minute meal or just a few ingredients, we’ve put together a list of 25 (plus a few additional suggestions) that require fast-cooking goods such as ground meat, eggs, leftover rice, noodles, and a box of tofu, and are designed to meet you at your culinary “worst.”
This is all we’ve got, so there’s nothing for you to be concerned about!
CANTONESE BEEF RICE BOWLS
Ground beef and green peas are added to make this dish a complete supper, making it easy to prepare. Look no further if you’ve got finicky eaters in the house–fast, it’s delicious, and they’ll be asking for more.
10-MINUTE THAI BASIL CHICKEN
No other place to turn when you need all of your favorite Thai flavors in a hurry.
PORK LARB
If you can chop the herbs and aromatics that go into larb quickly enough, you’ll have a mouthwatering meal on the table in no time.
5-MINUTE EGGS OVER EASY WITH SCALLION AND SOY SAUCE
When we take a recipe out of the “ugly” early years archives, you know it’s fantastic. I love it because it’s so easy to use, fast, and it’s nearly hard to mess up. Eggs and rice are also included in the meal? If you’re short on time, this is one of the greatest last-minute meal options.
STEAMED EGG
If you’re searching for a lighter method of cooking eggs, this is the guy. It’s surprisingly delicate and subtle for a classic preparation, despite the time and effort it takes to put together.
SALTED CHILI AND CHINESE CHIVE FRITTATA
Every time we make this dish, we keep a jar of salted chiles on hand. It’s as quick as scrambling eggs (you can skip the frittata part if you’re pressed for time), and the chiles and chives give it a unique flavor. Our Stir-Fry with Chinese Chives (or Scallions) and Egg is a simplified variation of this dish.
JIAN BING APPROXIMATION
If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably got a stash of frozen scallion pancakes in the freezer. This Jian Bing Approximation kept me going through all-nighters, early mornings when I needed something satisfying, and late nights when I just wanted something easy to eat.
BACON AND EGG FRIED RICE
Three essential ingredients: eggs, bacon, onions, and any leftover rice you may have in the fridge from another dish. Take it from the experts: you don’t need to worry about the rest since it will still taste great.
SUPREME SOY SAUCE FRIED RICE
There’s nothing more basic than rice, an egg, and scallions when your pantry is nearly empty. It’s okay to use those scraggly scallions from before.
VEGETABLE RAMEN
Clean out the vegetables in your fridge, or simply throw in some frozen peas and carrots! Finally, the meal has been prepared for you. Enjoy!
15-MINUTE LAZY NOODLES
This is our preferred method of entertaining because you can serve delicious noodles to a large group while still having time to converse with them.